Korean gochujang chilli paste is one of my favourite store cupboard essentials. I use it in lots of my recipes and, as it’s always in my cupboard/fridge, I love to come up with new ways to use it in my everyday meals. Last week, after fancying something summery for tea, I thought I would give it a whirl as part of a potato salad dressing and the result was delicious. Bursting with flavour, colour and goodness, the best thing about this recipe is that the dish can be on the table in the time it takes to boil the potatoes.
This recipe works perfectly as an evening meal hot or, if left to cool and refrigerated, as a weekday lunch. It was also be the perfect addition to any BBQ or buffet table.
If you aren’t a fan of mackerel you could make this recipe using chicken. Cook the chicken any way you prefer or if using the method below, season with salt and pepper and then pop under the grill for 5-7 minutes, flip and grill for 5-7 minutes on the other side until cooked through. You can then either chop the chicken into pieces or shred. Whichever you fancy!
You can get gochujang in most large supermarkets these days. I usually get mine in Sainsbury’s (who also sell it in their convenience stores) or from Amazon. It’s cheaper in store (a large pot is only £2.50 and lasts ages!)
Korean Mackerel and Potato Salad
Serves 2 = 5sp per serving (Flex)
Ingredients
400g new potatoes, halved
½ tsp gochujang chilli paste
2 tbsp lighter than light mayo
1 tsp white wine vinegar
1 small garlic clove, peeled and grated
2 mackerel fillets, skin on, raw
Sprinkle of crushed chillies
Handful of cherry tomatoes, quartered
¼ cucumber, peeled into strips
2 spring onions, sliced into small rounds
Handful of fresh coriander, roughly chopped
Small bag of salad leaves, roughly torn
Drizzle of Sriracha (if you like spice!)
Method
Pop the potatoes in a saucepan, cover with boiling water and add 1 tsp table salt. Boil for 15-18 minutes (or until soft – check by poking with a knife).
Meanwhile, pop the grill on to a medium high heat. Take a small baking tray, cover with tin foil and lay the mackerel fillets on the foil, skin side down. Season with salt, pepper and chilli flakes. Spray with 1kal and then pop under the grill for 5-6 minutes until the fish is cooked through. Remove from the grill and pop to one side.
Whilst the potatoes and fish are cooking, make your dressing. In a large bowl mix the gochujang chilli paste, mayo, white wine vinegar and garlic. Mix and pop to one side.
Prepare all of the other vegetables.
Once the fish has cooled a little, flake the flesh away from the skin being careful to remove any bones.
Drain the potatoes and add to the dressing. Toss the potatoes in the dressing and then add the tomatoes, cucumber, spring onions, coriander, salad leaves and mackerel. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Toss in so everything is coated well in the dressing. Drizzle over a little sriracha if you like it spicy.
Pop into two bowls and enjoy!
